After defying the odds of endometriosis and getting pregnant, Padma is so thankful to have her daughter Krishna.

Top Chef host and model Padma Lakshmi has overcome the shame she felt about her struggle with endometriosis and now supports other women facing the infertility-causing condition. At this weekend’s Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Ball in New York City, Padma explained why it was important to discuss her battle with fertility issues.

“It’s never easy to talk about your period, but it was such an important subject, and I’m so thankful that I have my daughter, that I couldn’t help but pay it forward and speak out, because I don’t want other women to go through what I went through,” Padma tells Ok! magazine.

“I have so many women friends who didn’t know they have endometriosis until it was too late, and it was such an important cause that I had no choice,” she adds.”I would’ve been morally corrupt if I didn’t put my own ego aside, and open my mouth. That’s really how I feel about it.” Truly inspiring.

But what’s even more amazing is that Padma beat the odds and became pregnant with her now 1-year-old daughterKrishna. “I get surprised every single day,” she says of motherhood. “It’s huge.”

Do you struggle with endometriosis like Padma? Let us know your stories.